Watching my first film, in a theatre, was one of the most fascinating moments in my life, at that time. I must have been about 6 or 7 years old. I can't remember the name of the film, but I always think it was Paheli (1977). Right now as I watch the film to confirm, the only similarity I can remember is a group of friends coming to a village. Beyond that, it doesn't seem the same.
In the backseats of a suburbian theatre (Mehul) in Mulund, I stood with my neck stretched, trying to peer over the heads of people as the large screen lit up with characters, story and music. All I remember now was that it had a group of naughty, city guys bumbling their way through a rural setting. They are joined by a girl, they sing songs and have a lot of fun (for a good part of the film) until something goes wrong.
That's when my fascination for films really took off. Since then, I have seen many, many films. I could go on and on about them, but I'll save them for later.
A few years later, I began to realise that a lot of work and people went into these films. One of the first things I learnt about films was that there was a cameraman who helped realise a film. That became obvious from the credits. Another significant understanding was that there were choreographers, who made the beautiful dances (peculiar to Hindi films) possible. In those days, few people knew what the credits meant. Exposure to behind the scenes of a film was quite rare. There was a single TV channel, no internet, no making of and no accessible magazines from where one could get such information. So a word here and word there in a paper or magazine started making up my understanding of what goes into making a film.
Then came Kaash (1987), a Hindi film by Mahesh Bhatt. I was irrevocably touched by the relationship of a drunken jobless man and his son, who is the only semblance of any meaning in his life. His son develops a terminal disease and wishes to spend the rest of his life with his warring, separated parents. My mind and heart churned and bled for each character on both sides of the conflict. I could feel their dilemmas and I was overwhelmed with emotions. Along with a wonderment of a special film experience, I felt thankful to the creator of the film. For the first time, I understood the role and power of a director of a film. I wanted to be one. I wished to move people in the same way I was moved.
23 years later, I am a nondescript filmmaker, who wishes to leave a mark in the lives of audiences. At present, it appears to be an impossible task. My hopes rise and wane with my state of mind with different events in my personal and professional life.
In the backseats of a suburbian theatre (Mehul) in Mulund, I stood with my neck stretched, trying to peer over the heads of people as the large screen lit up with characters, story and music. All I remember now was that it had a group of naughty, city guys bumbling their way through a rural setting. They are joined by a girl, they sing songs and have a lot of fun (for a good part of the film) until something goes wrong.
That's when my fascination for films really took off. Since then, I have seen many, many films. I could go on and on about them, but I'll save them for later.
A few years later, I began to realise that a lot of work and people went into these films. One of the first things I learnt about films was that there was a cameraman who helped realise a film. That became obvious from the credits. Another significant understanding was that there were choreographers, who made the beautiful dances (peculiar to Hindi films) possible. In those days, few people knew what the credits meant. Exposure to behind the scenes of a film was quite rare. There was a single TV channel, no internet, no making of and no accessible magazines from where one could get such information. So a word here and word there in a paper or magazine started making up my understanding of what goes into making a film.
Then came Kaash (1987), a Hindi film by Mahesh Bhatt. I was irrevocably touched by the relationship of a drunken jobless man and his son, who is the only semblance of any meaning in his life. His son develops a terminal disease and wishes to spend the rest of his life with his warring, separated parents. My mind and heart churned and bled for each character on both sides of the conflict. I could feel their dilemmas and I was overwhelmed with emotions. Along with a wonderment of a special film experience, I felt thankful to the creator of the film. For the first time, I understood the role and power of a director of a film. I wanted to be one. I wished to move people in the same way I was moved.
23 years later, I am a nondescript filmmaker, who wishes to leave a mark in the lives of audiences. At present, it appears to be an impossible task. My hopes rise and wane with my state of mind with different events in my personal and professional life.
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